SIDE Barnes

"Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit!

　Barnes slams his fist into the wall with a scream.
　The skin on his hand tore and blood spurted out.

　He felt no pain.

　All he felt was anger and frustration.

"d*mn it, Irina, ......!

　Barnes groaned, biting his lip.

　He was a high-ranking holy knight serving the Order of Larva.
　He would probably be dismissed for his earlier outburst.
　I was prepared for that, but...

　I didn't expect Irina to cut me off so coldly.
　I had a faint hope that perhaps the supreme priest was forcing her to give herself up against her will,........

　That hope has been shattered.

　I look back at the Great Hall from which I was just kicked out.

　If you look at Irina and the High Priestess in their sleeping quarters, it's clear that they were having an affair.
　How many times had they been embraced?
　Just the thought of it makes me want to scratch my head.
　The most beautiful and pure saint in the world that only I can hold in my hands...

"...... with a man like that!

　I remember the triumphant face of the High Priest, and my frustration grows.

　No, no, no, more than that.

I can't believe Irina was that kind of woman.

　In the depths of my heart, a dark thought welled up and swirled.

I'm sure you've heard of her.　When you're no longer of any use to me, you'll simply discard me. ......?　d*mn that slut. ......!

　I feel like throwing up from the despair of being betrayed and the jealousy of the High Priestess.
　I'll never forgive her.

"I'll make you pay for this in a week, Irina ......!

　On that day, there will be a ceremony in the Great Temple and a parade in the main streets of the capital.

　Earlier, it was announced that the current High Priest would be stepping down.
　The new High Priestess will be the saint Irina, a member of the heroic party that defeated the Demon King in the last battle.
　The ceremony and parade to celebrate her inauguration.

　The filthy saint must be punished.

(Wait for it, Irina ......!　She'll get what's coming to her.

　Barnes was burning with dark passions.

　　　　(Wait, Irina!

　(Wait, Irina. ! I'll make you pay.) Burns was burning with dark passion.

If talking about it will help you feel a little better, Chrome, ......

　There was a warm glow in her blue eyes as she stared straight at me, as if she cared for me.

　I don't know when the last time I felt human warmth.
　After being betrayed by Juno, Irina and the others, and being expelled from the party, something inside me was broken.

　I felt like a definite wall was born in my heart.
　A wall that repelled and rejected others.

　Perhaps it was the common denominator of "revenge" that allowed Shea to overcome it, however slightly.
　It may also be because he felt a feeling of neither closeness nor solidarity with her.

That's not a very pleasant thing to hear.
"As long as you're okay with it, Chrome.

　Shea smiles.

　She smiles gently.

"Please, tell me.

　I told her what the party of heroes had done.

　I was sacrificed to a spell that strengthens the brave.
　I was expelled from the party because I lost all my magic.
　Betrayed by the woman I thought was my lover and the man I thought was my best friend.
　And the heart of vengeance nurtured the [darkness] that dwelt within me, and manifested itself as the skill of [fixed damage]....

I'm not sure what to make of this.

　This is the first time I've heard of the specifics, and it seems to have surprised even Shea.
　This is a great way to get the most out of your business.

Such .......

　Shea's face was pale.
　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out more about the best way to do it.

　She's probably shocked to learn of this hero's dark side.

But there is no proof.

　I stare at Shea.
　I stare at her, her eyes swimming like she's upset.

"If I had to guess, I'd say I'm weak. I used to have dark hair, but now it's gray, and my limbs are weak and thin - but that's not proof.

　I sniffle a little.

Well, believe it or not, it's your choice.
"Master Chrom, .......
If you want to leave me, you can always leave me. I don't blame you. This is my revenge, originally. You have no business being here.

　Silence ensues.

　I don't mind if you leave.

　Originally, I was going to go on this journey of revenge alone.


　It's her presence that's unplanned.
　So...

"You saved my life. I'll repay that debt with my life.

　Shea knelt at my feet.

　Like a knight who swears allegiance to his lord.
　She kissed the back of my hand and said.

"I believe in you, Master Chrom.

　Trust me.

　Trust... an emotion I left behind two years ago.

　The people I trusted, my lovers, my friends, they all betrayed me.
　Since then, I can't trust anyone.

　Of course, not all people in this world are untrustworthy.
　There are plenty of bad people in the world, but there are also good people.
　I'm sure there are people who are worthy of trust.
　I'm sure they exist if you look for them.

　But that's just a theory.

　It hurts to trust people.

　Trusting people brings back the pain of that day.
　It reminds me of the despair of that day.

　That's why now, to my surprise, my heart was shaking.
　For the first time in two years, someone said "I believe" to me.

　Shea's lips are on the back of my hand.

　There was a small spark that went off.

"......!

　Shea and I both gasped in surprise.

It's the first time you've let your heart out to someone else since you got the Darkness.

　The voice of the Darkness echoes from within me.

　Forgive my heart to ......?
　I'm not sure what to do.

I'm sure you're starting to accept me as one of your own, aren't you?
"He's just following his own lead.

　I said to [darkness].

"Master Chrom, is that ......?

　Shea sounded puzzled.
　It seems that the voice of the Darkness, which is normally only heard by me, is also heard by her.

"It's the voice of the 'power' that resides within me. I simply call it [darkness].
[Darkness] ......?
I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm not sure if you'll be able to do it, but I'm sure you can. However...

[Darkness] tells you.

The ones you're about to face are the strongest party members in the world. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
"......, that's a lot to ask.

　Shea's lips tightened.
　However, she doesn't argue.

　It's true, and she thinks it's true.

"So... you might want to share your power for that reason.
"Share the power ......?
There are some of the powers of the Darkness that can be granted. Give it to her.